A floor brush module for a cleaning machine and the cleaning machine

Abstract

This invention relates to a floor brush module for a cleaning machine and the cleaning machine itself. The floor brush module has a dust suction port at the bottom of the housing, and an inlet. A flow channel is formed between the inlet and the dust suction port. At least two brushes are disposed at the bottom of the housing and located on the flow path of the fluid within the flow channel. Water channels are also provided on the brushes. Since the first end of each brush is rotatably connected to the bottom of the housing, its second end can swing relative to the housing. When it swings to the first operating state, it can open the flow channel, allowing large particles to be collected smoothly. Furthermore, since the water channels on the brushes can directly supply water to the surface to be cleaned, the scraping action can be completed simultaneously as the brushes rub against the surface. The cleaning water can also directly soak and soften hard stains adhering to the surface, further improving the cleaning effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of household cleaning tools, specifically to a floor brush module for a cleaning machine and a cleaning machine. Background Technology

[0002] Floor scrubbers are a common type of portable household cleaning equipment. They originated as vacuum cleaners and could only be used in dry environments. To meet the needs of more diverse environments, especially wet ones, products like floor scrubbers were developed. Most existing floor scrubbers use a front-mounted roller brush structure. By placing a rotating roller brush on the front of the machine casing, it can sweep and clean the area covered by the rotating brush, which is very convenient. However, floor scrubbers with a roller brush structure are prone to hair getting tangled on the brush after cleaning, and the fact that the roller brush is positioned in front of the suction port makes it difficult to collect large particles of debris.

[0003] To avoid problems such as hair tangling, the applicant's prior application disclosed a cleaning machine with a brushless structure, patent application number CN202122959279.4 (authorization announcement number CN216776859U). By setting a disc brush in the negative pressure chamber in front of the suction port, hair tangling can be avoided to a great extent, and the gaps between the disc brushes can allow large particles to enter the negative pressure zone, which is convenient for collecting dirt of different shapes.

[0004] While the aforementioned cleaning machines have addressed the hair entanglement issue to some extent and increased the collection of large particles, the collection of large particles remains limited by the gaps between the brushes, as the disc brushes need to cover a sufficient area. This still carries the risk of large particles getting stuck. Furthermore, most existing cleaning machines use internal water outlets, making it difficult for the cleaning water to instantly cover the surface, resulting in insufficient cleaning in some areas and potentially scratching the initially cleaned area.

[0005] Therefore, further improvements are needed to the existing floor brush module of the cleaning machine. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a floor brush module for a cleaning machine that utilizes the swinging motion of the brush to open and close the guide channel in order to collect debris, in light of the current state of the prior art.

[0007] The second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a cleaning machine having the above-mentioned floor brush module, in view of the current state of the prior art.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the first technical problem mentioned above is: a floor brush module for a cleaning machine, comprising:

[0009] The housing has a dust suction port at its bottom, and the housing also has an inlet for collecting fluid and solid particles on the front side of the floor brush module in the direction of travel. A flow guide channel is formed between the inlet and the dust suction port.

[0010] At least two brushes are disposed at the bottom of the housing and located in the flow path of the fluid within the guide channel. The first end of each brush is rotatably connected to the front side of the bottom of the housing, allowing the second end to deflect and swing relative to the housing. When the floor brush module is in the forward position, each brush can deflect and swing until its extension direction aligns with the forward direction of the floor brush module; and when the floor brush module is in the reverse position, each brush can deflect and swing until its extension direction intersects with the forward direction of the floor brush module.

[0011] A water flow channel is formed on the brush element, and its outlet end is in fluid communication with the guide channel; and

[0012] The pump body is located inside the housing, and its outlet end is in communication with the inlet end of the water flow channel.

[0013] The brushes can be set at different positions on the housing. In order for the brushes to perform the sweeping action as soon as the floor brush module moves, the front side of the housing has a mounting base. The bottom of the mounting base is spaced from the surface to be cleaned to form the flow channel. The opening on the front side of the mounting base is the inlet. Each brush is connected to the bottom of the mounting base.

[0014] To ensure smooth brush movement, preferably, the mounting base has at least two mounting holes in the width direction of the housing, each brush has an upwardly extending rotary joint, and each rotary joint is rotatably constrained within the corresponding mounting hole.

[0015] For ease of water discharge, preferably, the brush is strip-shaped, and the rotary joint has a rotating shaft located at the first end of the brush. The rotating shaft is hollow inside to form an inlet channel for fluid communication with the water outlet of the pump body. The brush is hollow inside to form an outlet channel. The outlet channel and the inlet channel are fluidly connected to form the water flow channel.

[0016] To prevent high-pressure water from being directed at the surface to be cleaned, preferably, the flow direction of the fluid in the outlet channel intersects with the flow direction of the fluid in the inlet channel. This design relationship between the two channels allows the supplied cleaning water to undergo a deflection action, preventing it from being sprayed directly onto the surface to be cleaned.

[0017] To prevent the brush from falling off, specifically, the inner edge of the mounting hole has an upwardly extending connecting sleeve, and the outer periphery of the upper end of the rotating shaft has a radially outwardly extending retaining edge, which abuts against the upper end of the connecting sleeve to constrain the rotating shaft within the connecting sleeve.

[0018] Preferably, the outer wall of the lower end of the rotating shaft has an extension piece extending radially outward, the projection of which covers the mounting hole on the plane of the mounting hole. This extension piece design serves two purposes: firstly, it prevents debris from entering the mounting hole, ensuring smooth brush movement; secondly, the extension piece, in addition to covering the mounting hole, also rests against the periphery of the mounting hole, significantly reducing the lateral force on the rotating shaft of the entire brush component in the direction of travel of the floor brush module, lowering the strength requirements of the component, and preventing the rotating shaft from wobbling.

[0019] Specifically, the thickness of the extension plate gradually decreases from the inside to the outside. This design of the extension plate further enhances the strength of the rotating shaft. The gradient change in thickness allows the extension plate to bear most of the external forces acting on the brush components near the inner side of the rotating shaft, while the thinner outer edge of the extension plate does not obstruct the flow of fluid and can also guide the collection of large particles.

[0020] Preferably, the bottom of the brush has a water outlet along its length, and the water outlet is in fluid communication with the water outlet channel. This water outlet design allows the cleaning water to be fully distributed throughout the brush after changing direction from the inlet channel to the outlet channel, thereby further ensuring uniform spraying of the cleaning water.

[0021] Specifically, a gap is left between the two sidewalls of the brush to form a water outlet channel, and the gap between the two sidewalls of the brush gradually decreases from top to bottom so that the bottom of the brush forms the water outlet.

[0022] Preferably, the brush module further includes a second elastic element that can act on the brush when the housing is in an upward moving state, so that the brush always tends to rotate to close the flow channel and be in a second use state.

[0023] Specifically, the second elastic element is a torsion spring sleeved on the rotating shaft.

[0024] To prevent hair and large particles from getting stuck in the brush pieces, the spacing between the mounting holes is no greater than the length of the brush piece, allowing adjacent brush pieces to overlap. This arrangement of the brush pieces allows the second elastic element to not only drive the brush pieces to reset but also enable the brush pieces to clean each other. Since the brush pieces are no longer subject to friction from the surface to be cleaned when resetting, they can swing in the opposite direction under the elastic restoring force of the second elastic element. Because the elastic restoring force is not exhausted during the reset swing, and the brush pieces have inertia during the reset swing, the second end of the previous brush piece can forcefully strike the first end of the next brush piece. At this time, hair attached to the two brush pieces or debris and particles stuck in the guide channel can be loosened under the intermittent striking action and eventually sucked away by negative pressure, effectively achieving self-cleaning of each brush piece and the guide channel.

[0025] To facilitate the export of negative pressure airflow, the housing preferably also has an outlet, which is located downstream of the inlet along the direction of the fluid, and the inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet via a suction port.

[0026] There are various ways to supply cleaning water to the water flow channel. Preferably, a water distribution seat is provided on the front side of the housing. The water distribution seat is hollow inside to form a water storage chamber. The pump body is in fluid communication with the water flow channel of each brush through the water storage chamber.

[0027] To further solve the second technical problem mentioned above, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: a cleaning machine having the above-mentioned floor brush module, and further including a dust separation module and a fan module, wherein the floor brush module, dust separation module and fan module are arranged sequentially along the flow direction of the fluid.

[0028] Preferably, the cleaning machine is a vacuum cleaner or a floor scrubber.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: In the floor brush module for the cleaning machine, since the first end of the brush can be rotatably connected to the bottom of the housing, the second end can swing relative to the housing. When it swings to the first use state, it can open the flow channel, and large particles can be smoothly collected by the flow channel. In addition, since the water flow channel on the brush can directly supply water to the surface to be cleaned, the scraping action can be completed simultaneously when the brush rubs against the surface to be cleaned. Furthermore, the hard stains attached to the surface to be cleaned can be directly soaked and softened by the cleaning water, further improving the cleaning effect. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the floor brush module in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A diagram from another angle;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the shell at the first angle;

[0033] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the shell from the second angle;

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the fluid flow path inside the shell;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the overall cleaning machine. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0037] like Figures 1 to 6 The diagram shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the floor brush module is suitable for use in a cleaning machine, which can be a vacuum cleaner or a floor scrubber. In addition to the floor brush module 101, the cleaning machine also includes a dust separation module 102 and a fan module 103. The floor brush module 101, dust separation module 102, and fan module 103 are arranged sequentially along the direction of fluid flow. Taking a floor scrubber as an example, the floor brush module in this embodiment specifically includes a housing 1, at least two brushes 2, and a pump body 5. The housing 1 has a suction port 1b at the bottom. The housing 1 also has an inlet 1a for collecting fluid and solid particles on the front side of the floor brush module in the direction of travel. A guide channel 10 is formed between the inlet 1a and the suction port 1b. When the solid-liquid mixture is collected by negative pressure into the guide channel 10, it will flow downstream through the outlet 1c of the housing 1. The outlet 1c is arranged downstream of the inlet 1a along the direction of fluid flow. The inlet 1a is in fluid communication with the outlet 1c through the suction port 1b.

[0038] To achieve the sweeping of the surface to be cleaned, at least two brushes 2 are evenly distributed at the bottom of the housing 1 and located on the flow path of the fluid in the guide channel 10. In this embodiment, the first end of each brush 2 is rotatably connected to the front side of the bottom of the housing 1, so that the second end can deflect and swing relative to the housing 1. When the floor brush module is in the forward state, each brush 2 can deflect and swing until its extension direction is consistent with the travel direction of the floor brush module; when the floor brush module is in the backward state, each brush 2 can deflect and swing until its extension direction intersects the travel direction of the floor brush module. Specifically, the front side of the housing 1 has a mounting base 11. The bottom of the mounting base 11 is spaced from the surface to be cleaned to form the guide channel 10, and the opening on the front side of the mounting base 11 is the inlet 1a. Each brush 2 is connected to the bottom of the mounting base 11. In order to perform the brushing action, the mounting base 11 has at least two mounting holes 12 in the width direction of the housing 1, each brush 2 has an upwardly extending rotary joint 20, and each rotary joint 20 is rotatably constrained in the corresponding mounting hole 12.

[0039] In this embodiment, the inner edge of the mounting hole 12 has an upwardly extending connecting sleeve 13, and the outer periphery of the upper end of the rotating shaft 21 has a radially outward extending flange 22, which abuts against the upper end of the connecting sleeve 13 to constrain the rotating shaft 21 within the connecting sleeve 13. Furthermore, the outer wall of the lower end of the rotating shaft 21 has a radially outward extending extension piece 23, the projection of which covers the mounting hole 12 on the plane containing the mounting hole 12. The thickness of the extension piece 23 gradually decreases from the inside to the outside.

[0040] To supply cleaning water to the surface to be cleaned, the brush 2 in this embodiment is strip-shaped, with a water flow channel 40 inside that is fluidly connected to the guide channel 10. The pump body 5 is located inside the housing 1, and its outlet end is in flow communication with the inlet end of the water flow channel 40. Specifically, a water distribution seat 6 is also provided on the front side of the housing 1. The water distribution seat 6 is hollow inside to form a water storage chamber 60. The pump body 5 is in fluid communication with the water flow channels 40 of each brush 2 through the water storage chamber 60. The aforementioned rotary joint 20 has a rotating shaft 21 located at the first end of the brush 2. The rotating shaft 21 is hollow inside to form an inlet flow channel 40a for fluid communication with the outlet end of the pump body 5. The brush 2 is hollow inside to form an outlet flow channel 40b. The outlet flow channel 40b and the inlet flow channel 40a are in fluid communication to form the water flow channel 40. In this embodiment, the flow direction of the fluid in the outlet flow channel 40b intersects with the flow direction of the fluid in the inlet flow channel 40a. Furthermore, the bottom of the brush 2 is provided with a water outlet 40c along its length, and the water outlet 40c is in fluid communication with the water outlet channel 40b. Specifically, a gap is left between the two sidewalls of the brush 2 to form the water outlet channel 40b, and the gap between the two sidewalls of the brush 2 gradually decreases from top to bottom, so that the bottom of the brush 2 forms the water outlet 40c.

[0041] To achieve the rotational reset of brush 2, the floor brush module also includes a second elastic element 24. This second elastic element 24 acts on brush 2 when the housing 1 is in an upward-moving state, so that brush 2 always tends to rotate to close the flow channel 10 and be in the second use state. In this embodiment, the second elastic element 24 is a torsion spring sleeved on the rotating shaft 21. In addition, in this embodiment, the distance between each mounting hole 12 is not greater than the length of brush 2, so that two adjacent brushes 2 overlap. This arrangement of the brushes allows the second elastic element to not only drive the brushes to reset but also enable the brushes to clean each other. Since the brush pieces are no longer subject to friction from the surface to be cleaned when they reset, they can swing in the opposite direction driven by the elastic restoring force of the second elastic element. Because the elastic restoring force is not exhausted during the reset swing, and the brush pieces have inertia, the second end of the previous brush piece can forcefully strike the first end of the next brush piece. At this point, hair attached to the two brush pieces, or debris and particles stuck in the guide channel, can be loosened by the intermittent striking action and eventually sucked away by negative pressure, effectively achieving self-cleaning of each brush piece and the guide channel. Furthermore, the stacked brush pieces 2 also prevent cleaning water residue from remaining when retracting.

[0042] The term "fluid connectivity" as used in this invention refers to the spatial relationship between two components or parts (hereinafter referred to as the first part and the second part, respectively), that is, a fluid (gas, liquid, or a mixture of both) can flow from the first part along a flow path and / or be transported to the second part. This can be a direct connection between the first part and the second part, or an indirect connection between the first part and the second part through at least one third party. This third party can be a fluid channel such as a pipe, channel, conduit, guide, hole, or groove, or a chamber or combination thereof that allows fluid to flow through.

[0043] Furthermore, the specification and claims of this invention use terms indicating direction, such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "side," "top," and "bottom," to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements of the invention. However, these terms are used herein merely for ease of explanation and are determined based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in this invention can be arranged in different orientations, these terms indicating direction are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limitations. For example, "upper" and "lower" are not necessarily limited to directions opposite to or consistent with the direction of gravity.

Claims

1. A floor brush module for a cleaning machine, comprising: The housing (1) has a dust suction port (1b) at its bottom. The housing (1) also has an inlet (1a) for collecting fluid and solid particles on the front side of the direction of travel of the floor brush module. A guide channel (10) is formed between the inlet (1a) and the dust suction port (1b). Its characteristic is that it further includes: At least two brushes (2) are disposed at the bottom of the housing (1) and located on the flow path of the fluid in the guide channel (10). The first end of each brush (2) is rotatably connected to the front side of the bottom of the housing (1) so that the second end deflects and swings relative to the housing (1). When the floor brush module is in the forward state, each brush (2) can deflect and swing until its extension direction is consistent with the travel direction of the floor brush module; and when the floor brush module is in the backward state, each brush (2) can deflect and swing until its extension direction intersects the travel direction of the floor brush module; and A water flow channel (40) is formed on the brush (2), and its outlet end is in fluid communication with the guide channel (10); and The pump body (5) is located inside the housing (1), and its outlet end is in communication with the inlet end of the water flow channel (40).

2. The floor brush module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front side of the housing (1) has a mounting base (11), the bottom of which is spaced from the surface to be cleaned to form the flow channel (10), and the opening on the front side of the mounting base (11) is the inlet (1a), and each of the brushes (2) is connected to the bottom of the mounting base (11).

3. The floor brush module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The mounting base (11) has at least two mounting holes (12) in the width direction of the housing (1), each of the brushes (2) has an upwardly extending rotary joint (20), and each of the rotary joints (20) is rotatably constrained within the corresponding mounting hole (12).

4. The floor brush module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The brush (2) is strip-shaped, and the rotary joint (20) has a rotating shaft (21) located at the first end of the brush (2). The rotating shaft (21) is hollow inside to form an inlet channel (40a) for fluid communication with the outlet end of the pump body (5). The brush (2) is hollow inside to form an outlet channel (40b). The outlet channel (40b) and the inlet channel (40a) are in fluid communication to form the water flow channel (40).

5. The floor brush module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The flow direction of the fluid in the outlet channel (40b) intersects with the flow direction of the fluid in the inlet channel (40a).

6. The floor brush module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The inner edge of the mounting hole (12) has an upwardly extending connecting sleeve (13), and the outer periphery of the upper end of the rotating shaft (21) has a flange (22) extending radially outward. The flange (22) abuts against the upper end of the connecting sleeve (13) so that the rotating shaft (21) is constrained within the connecting sleeve (13).

7. The floor brush module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The outer wall of the lower end of the rotating shaft (21) has an extension piece (23) extending radially outward, the projection of which covers the mounting hole (12) on the plane of the mounting hole (12).

8. The floor brush module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The thickness of the extension piece (23) gradually decreases from the inside to the outside.

9. The floor brush module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The bottom of the brush (2) is provided with a water outlet (40c) along its own length direction, and the water outlet (40c) is in fluid communication with the water outlet channel (40b).

10. The floor brush module according to claim 9, characterized in that: The two sidewalls of the brush (2) are spaced apart to form a water outlet channel (40b), and the distance between the two sidewalls of the brush (2) gradually decreases from top to bottom so that the bottom of the brush (2) forms the water outlet (40c).

11. The floor brush module according to claim 10, characterized in that: It also includes a second elastic element (24) that can act on the brush (2) when the housing (1) is in an upward moving state, so that the brush (2) always tends to rotate to close the flow channel (10) and be in the second use state.

12. The floor brush module according to claim 11, characterized in that: The second elastic element (24) is a torsion spring sleeved on the rotating shaft (21).

13. The floor brush module according to claim 12, characterized in that: The spacing between each of the mounting holes (12) is not greater than the length of the brush (2) so that two adjacent brushes (2) overlap.

14. The floor brush module according to claim 13, characterized in that: The housing (1) also has an outlet (1c) arranged downstream of the inlet (1a) along the direction of the fluid, the inlet (1a) being in fluid communication with the outlet (1c) via a suction port (1b).

15. The floor brush module according to claim 14, characterized in that: A water distribution seat (6) is also provided on the front side of the housing (1). The water distribution seat (6) is hollow inside to form a water storage chamber (60). The pump body (5) is in fluid communication with the water flow channels (40) of each brush (2) through the water storage chamber (60).

16. A cleaning machine comprising a floor brush module as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that, It also includes a dust separation module (102) and a fan module (103), wherein the floor brush module (101), the dust separation module (102) and the fan module (103) are arranged sequentially along the flow direction of the fluid.

17. The cleaning machine according to claim 16, characterized in that: The cleaning machine is a vacuum cleaner or a floor scrubber.

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